Highlights of Season 2009-10

East District

Watson Trophy

The East District Teams of Four event as usual launched the tournament season at the Melville Bridge Club on Sunday 20th September.

In a close match the winners were Falkirk's Jim Power, Alec Hamilton, Harry Mahoney & Brendan Clark with a VP total of 206, one ahead of Iain Sime, Liz McGowan, Fiona McQuaker and John Matheson. The Silver prize was won by Fiona Greenwood, Robert Clow, Anna St. Clair & Troy van de l'Isle with a score of 170.

Rayne Cup Final

The Rayne Cup FInal in Dundee on Sunday 3rd January was won by Sam Punch, Veronica Guy, Mike Ash & Stephen Peterkin by 17VP. The East District heat winners of Sime, Home, Dragic & Duncan finished third a further 23VP back, with the other East representive team of Greenwood, St. Clair, Clow & van de l'Isle lower down the rankings. Full results are on the SBU site.

Stirling Pairs

The Stirling Pairs on Sunday was won by Joan Mercer & Andrew Philip, from Roy Bennett & Harry Smith, with Laura Middleton & William Hawkins in third place. The Silver Prize went to Jim Forsyth & Jim McMahon, and the Bronze Prize to Claire Hargan & Julia Palmer. Full Stirling Pairs results.

Cowan Cup

Congratulations to Fiona Lawson & John Hamilton (pictured), runners up last year but winners of the Cowan Cup Final this time round. The final was on Saturday 23rd January 2010 at the Carlton Bridge Centre. Runners up were Brian Short & Dave Walker and third were Iain Sime & Patrick Home. The Bronze prize was won by Robin & Jan Sharp.

Men's Teams

The Men's Teams event was won by David Liggat, Roy Bennett, Mike Ash & Alan Goodman (64), with the runners up Anthony Bates, Troy van de l'Isle, Robert Clow & Archie Bouverie. Full details.

Ladies' Teams

The Ladies' Teams event has been won by Carolyn Peploe, Liz McGowan, Fiona McQuaker, Veronica Guy & Christine Walker (120), with the runners up Jennu McCartney, Pam Leith, Judith Louch and Pam Mackie. The Bronze prize was won by Mary Grant, Liz Barr, Gill Colston and Trina Rogerson. Full details.

Atholl Cup

The Atholl Cup Pivot Teams event was won by Iain Sime (pictured), Patrick Home, Simon Gillam & George Wood, who beat Fiona McQuaker's team by 49 imps over 36 boards, mainly from the final stanza, so a close match overall.

MacLaren Cup Final

The final of the Knockout Teams tournament on Monday 26 April was won by Craigleith (Donald Denoon, pictured), who conceded a handicap of 2700 to Waverley but prevailed by around 3000 points to take the trophy. Congratulations to all at Craigleith.

League Winners & Losers

Winners of Division 1 for the first time in over a decade were Dundas (pictured are Archie Bouverie and Fiona McQuaker receiving the trophy), with 49ers runners up and maintaining their record of being in the top two every year since the turn of the century. Losers and facing relegation were Phoenix and Linlithgow, who face their first term in Divison 2 since 2004 while Grosvenor Aces managed to stay up after last season’s success.

Division 2 saw Dunfermline A and Falkirk B promoted to the top flight, so two Falkirk sides in Division 1 for the first time this century next season. Going straight back down to Three again are Gosford (previously Longniddry A) and Dunfermline B.

In Division 3, winners were Falcon and Marmion B from North Berwick, who both return to Division 2 after a brief hiatus. Longniddry Bees slip down to the Fourth after back to back promotions, and are joined by the Melville's Orion.

Division 4 was won by Kelso, and they are joined in Div 3 by West Calder. Both sides will be entering the unknown having not played at that level for many years. Going the other way are Randolph (second straight demotion for them) and Dunbar, who were just unable to survive in their first term in the division.

Division 5 saw Gullane bounce back up, though after the loss of Hawks minor reorganisation meant the runners up (Brave Knaves) were not promoted on this occasion.

Lady Milne

Camrose in Edinburgh

The East District hosted the first weekend of the Camrose at the weekend, at Novotel Edinburgh Park. Many thanks to everyone who gave their time and expertise to make the event such a success. Thanks also to everyone who came along to watch the bridge in the VuGraph Theatre.

Scotland beat the Republic of Ireland and Wales, but lost to England and both teams from Northern Ireland - ending up a bit off the pace on 71VP, behind Wales on 78, England on 99 and the Republic of Ireland who just took the first weekend honours with 100.

National SBU events

Here are the highlights of the national tournament scene from an East District perspective.

The Hugh Kelsey Trophy for players in classes was won by Clare Douglas & Alex Brown.

Les Steel, Dave Walker, James McGeorge & Derek Sanders were runners up in the Scottish Cup, while Fiona Greenwood, Anna St Clair, Anthony Bates & Troy van de l'Isle were runners up in the Scottish Plate.

Fiona Lawson, John Hamilton, Brian Short & Dave Walker were finalists in the Spence Cup.

Gold Cup

The East team of Iain Sime, John Matheson, Derek Sanders & Bif McGeorge went out in the semi final of the Gold Cup at Peebles at the weekend, after a good win over Janet de Botton's team in the Quarter Final. The event was won by Alfrey, Robson, Forrester, Bakshi et al.

Changes

Treasurer Jim Herbert stood down at the end of the season, to be replaced by Sandy Kirkwood. Here is is presented with a thank you gift from the retiring Chair of the East District, Liz McGowan. Mike Ash will fill this role in the coming season.